Method and apparatus for inducing lethargic relaxation or sleep



June 18, 1968 w, W ETAL 3,388,699

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDUCING LETHARGIC RELAXATION OR SLEEP FiledFeb. 2, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

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o I a m N 8 m m I J IN ENTORS MARVIN W. WEBB GULDEN W. YODER June 18,1968 M. w. WEBB ETAL 3,388,699

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDUCING LETHARGIC RELAXATION OR SLEEP FiledFeb. 2, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

MARVIN W. WEBB GULDEN W. YODER United States 4 Claims. (Cl. 128-1) Thepresent invention relates to a method and apparatus for inducinglethargic relaxation or sleep in a person by passing a pulsatingelectric current to the central nervous system through the cerebrum. Thepresent application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.377,925, filed June 25, 1964, of application Ser. No. 286,851, filedJune 10, 1963, and of application Ser. No. 243,003, filed Dec. 7, 1963,all of which are now abandoned.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of anovel method of inducing relaxation or sleep in a person which comprisesapplying a pulsating electrical current through the cerebrum to thecentral nervous system in a wave form analogous to that produced by thebasic neuronal electrical discharge and at a frequency of from one tosixty pulses per second, preferably about 30 pulses per second, andhaving a duration of from 0.3 to 0.7 millisecond or 300 to 700microseconds. Specifically, the current is applied to the cerebrum byelectrodes placed in Contact with the eyelids and the mastoid processes)f the cranium so as to pass current from one electrode to the otherthrough the cranium.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel apparatusadapted to apply a pulsating current at spaced locations on a humansubject and which comprises a pair of electrodes, means to hold theelectrodes to given areas of the body, and an electric power supplyconnected to the electrodes to establish a potential therebetween and inpulses in a wave form analogous to that produced by the basic neuronaldischarge form and at a frequency of between one and thirty pulses persecond at an amperage of between zero and one hundred microamps and at avoltage of between twenty-five and one hundred. The a plied currentshould be in the wave form analogous to that produced by the basicneuronal discharge wave form with a duration of 0.3 to 0.7 millisecondper pulse. Means are provided for readily adjusting the frequency andcurrent values to provide variations within the ranges of the potentialand frequency mentioned. Specifically, an electrode holder maintains thecathodal electrodes in electrical contact with the eyelids and theanodal electrodes in contact with the mastoid bones of the subjectshead.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of a preferred form of the invention, referencebeing made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a wiring diagram of a portion of an apparatus embodying theinvention and a perspective view of a person having electrodes attachedto his head for inducing relaxation or sleep;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the electrodes of FIG. 1 andholding means therefor;

FIG. 3 is a representation of the form of current waves generated by theapparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a view of one of the electrodes according to this invention.

Referring to the preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings,the head of a person or subject to be relaxed or made to sleep is shownat P, and pulsating current is transmitted through a part of the craniumof the subject by a set of electrodes 11 applied to the eyelids and aset of disc type electrodes 12, 13 applied to the masant Fatented Junetil toid bones at opposite sides of the head. The electrodes are held inplace by a holder 14, described in detail hereinafter. To inducelethargic relaxation or sleep in the subject a pulsating direct currentin wave form analogous to the basic neuronal discharge wave form ispassed through a portion of the central nervous system at a regularfrequency of one to sixty pulses per second for a duration of 0.4 to 0.6millisecond per pulse and the pulsating current is maintained for aperiod of time determined by the response of the particular subject. Itis essential that the impulses be of a wave form distinct from otherwave forms, the specific wave form being illustrated at FIG. 3 in whichthe voltage increases instantaneously from Zero to from 25 to 100 voltsand O-lOO microamps average meter reading, for example, and rapidlydecays about 10% which forms a peak on the wave, as seen in FIG. 3, anduntil a decay of 5% occurs for a substantial portion of the wave, whichmay be from slightly less than .3 to .7 millisecond at which time thevoltage drops rapidly to zero, and the drop is almost instantaneous fromabout of the maximum. This wave form corresponds to that produced by thebasic single neuron discharge of all nerve cells and it is believed thatthe application of current in this wave form stimulates the neurons mostetiectively. The operating current intensity should be just below thethreshold of pain to the particular subject and the frequency of pulsesis adjusted to the need of the particular subject undergoing treatment,but within the ranges mentioned. Usually the best frequency is fromeight to thirteen pulses per second.

Current potential is applied to the electrode sets 10, 11 and i2, 13 bypulse generator 16, which may be suitably housed in a cabinet indicatedschematically at 17 and comprises DC current source, a pulse generatorand an amplifier described in detail hereinafter.

The DC current source includes a step-up transformer 20 having primaryand secondary coils 20a and 2% arranged to increase voltage fromapproximately 115 volts sixty cycles per second AC to 500 volts sixtycycles per second AC. The primary winding is energized from aconventional plug-in type of 115 volts AC current domestic power outlet(not shown) through a plug 21 having its terminals connected withopposite sides of the primary coil by wire 22 and 23, the latter havinga manual on-otl switch 24 interposed therein. The output of the DC powersource comprises wires 26 and 27, the wire 26 forming a centertap ofsecondary coil 2% and wire 27 being connected to the cathode 28a of afull wave rectifier tube 28. A smoothing filter network comprising two10 microfarad condensers 29 and 30 parallel connected between wires 25and 27 and a milliamp choice coil 31 interposed in wire 27 between theterminals of the condensers as shown provides a DC output through plates28c and Zfid which are connected to the respective ends of the secondarycoil. The rectifier tube is preferably type 6X4 and the output voltageis about 350 volts and the filament of the tube is energized by a lowvoltage secondary coil 23c of transformer 2t Preferably an on-off switch32 is in output 27 to permit disconnection of the power output from theoscillator circuit without cooling oil tube The forcgoing power sourceis conventional and any other suitable source could be employed.

The output of the power supply section is connected to a suitable pulsegenerator which in the present embodiment is a blocking oscillatorcomprising a pulse transformer 35 having a primary coil 35a andsecondary coil 35b which are of a one to one ratio. ()ne terminal of theprimary cell is attached to wire 27 and the other is connected with aplate 36a of a twin triode amplifier tube 35, which in the presentinstance is type 6CS7. The cathode 36b of tube 35 is connected withoutput wire 25 and also with an oscillator network including secondary3512, as shown. The oscillator network includes a condenser 37 connectedto the grid 36c and secondary 35b. A resistor 38 and a variable resistor39 in series is connected from DC output 26 to the grid 36c of tube 36,as shown. The filament of tube 36 is connected with secondary coil 200for its power source. Preferably, tube 36 is type 6CS7 and condenser 37is a 0.1 microfarad and resistor 38 is a 300K ohms. The values of thecondenser 37 and resistor 38 will provide a conducting phase of from 0.3millisecond to 0.7 millisecond. Variable resistor 39 has a value ofmegohms. By varying resistor 39 the oscillation per second can beregulated between 1 to 60 cycles per second, although about cycles persecond has been found to be most effective.

The blocking oscillator is connected to an amplifying circuit whichincludes the cathode 36d which is connected with output 25 of the DCpower supply through a resistor 42 and condenser 46 in parallel. Theresistor is con- .nected between grid 36d and DC output 27. Plate 36f isconnected to the DC output 27 by a circuit including resistor 43, andvariable resistor 44. The values of resistors 4-2, 43, 44 and 45 are 5K,2K, 3K, and 20K respectively, and the value of the condenser is 10 mt.Grid 36g is connected between coil 35b and condenser 37 to provide afeed-back.

The output terminal of the amplifier is connected to the wiper contactof variable resistor 44 and the terminal 51 is connected to the DCoutput circuit 27 with meter 52, as shown. Preferably, a one hundredmicroamp meter 52 is connected in series with terminal 51 and a neonlamp 54 is in series with the meter. The meter permits the operator toread the current output and the neon lamp gives a visual indication ofthe frequency and comparative intensity of the current by the steadinessof the light emitted by the lamp as well as its relative intensity. Thelight will appear to flicker at approximately from one to fifteen cyclesper second. Electrodes it), 11 are connected with the terminal 50, whichis negative, and electrodes 12, 13 are connected with terminal 51, whichis positive.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, the electrode holder 14 comprisestwo generally L-shaped, fiat, relatively rigid plastic members 14a and14b which are interconnected by adjustable flexible straps or bands 14::and 14d. The ends of strap 14d are extended through slots adjacent theends of members 14a and 14b and are folded back on the strap and securedin place by snap type fasteners Me, a series of which are provided alongthe strap by which the end portions of the strap can be variablyattached so as to adjust the length of the band fit onto the heads ofdifferent subjects. Two spaced stainless steel electrodes 10 and 11 areattached to the central portion of strap 14c, and are preferablyinterconnected by a yoke bar 53 having the ends thereof suitablyattached to the center of the discs. A terminal post 53a is provided onthe yoke to which a wire 55 is attached and discs 10 and 11 can belocated on the inside thereof as shown so as to be held to the surfacesof the eyelids.

Electrode discs 12, 13 are likewise surface electrodes and each is heldin contact to the mastoid process. Wires 56, 57 are connected to theanode electrodes and to terminal 51. Ringers solution is applied to apad disposed between the electrode and the subjects skin, as describedhereinafter.

Owing to the low intensity of the electric current placement of theelectrodes is crucial. The eyelid and mastoid positions are utilized fortwo reasons: (1) the optic foramen and mastoid process provide the leastresistance from cranial bone and the least tactile dissipation ofcurrent, (2) the optic tract provides the most accessible conductorroute to the vegetative nervous sytsem Whose activity is significantlydampened by the current.

As viewed in the drawings, members 14:: and lab each have verticallyextending slots 14 formed therein through which posts 1212 and 13bextend so that the electrodes 12 and 13 can be adjustably positionedafter the holder 14 is secured to the subjects head. The holder isplaced on the head of the subject with band 140 across the eyes and band14d across the back of the head so that one lead of each of the membersMr: and 14b projects forwardly alongside the temple and the other legprojects downwardly on the mastoid process in back of the cars.

In use, the subject is placed in a reclining or sitting position and theelectrodes attached to his head. Cloth pads 59 are thoroughly wettedwith a saline or Ringers solution and interposed between the electrodediscs and the subjects skin to provide good electrical contact and eachdisc is provided with the openings 58 therethrough which fresh solutionmay be added to the pads from time to time. The openings 58 are alignedwith the slots 14 and 14g in band 14c and members Mr: and 14b,respectively, as shown. Switch 24- is closed (assuming plug 21 to beconnected with a 115 volt AC power source) and the device allowed towarm up. Switch 32 is then closed and a potential is established betweenthe sets of electrodes 10, 11 and 12, 13. Variable resistor 44 is thenadjusted to produce a current just below the threshold of pain to thesubject. The voltage which produces this threshold of pain will dependupon the particular subject and will vary from person to person.Resistor 39 is then adjusted to produce a frequency which is mostefiicacious for the individual subject. The meter 52 indicates currentstrength. In a matter of minutes the brain becomes fatigued by thisstimuli and there occurs a protective inhibitory reaction within theneutrons involved, progressively diffusing in breadth and depth. Thisprogressively diffused cerebral inhibition results in lethargic relationultimately proceeding to sleep. As the process of inhibition proceeds,the factor of critical judgment diminishes in pari passu and the subjectreaches a state of hypersuggestability in which he becomes especiallyresponsive to endogenous or exogenous suggestions. Upon subsequentwaking, the subject will have a feeling of refreshment and generalwell-being and mild exhilaration. Repeated usage of the method andapparatus conditions a subject so that the duration of application ofthe current can be diminished without impairing the efiicacy of thetreatment.

The method and apparatus of the invention are particularly useful andbeneficial to nervous persons who have difficulty in sleeping and theinvention may also be employed to effect certain psychiatiric treatment.It may also be employed to condition new sleep cycles for whateverpurpose.

It will be understood that although but one form of the invention hasbeen shown, other forms, modifications, and adaptations could beemployed, all falling within the scope of the claims which follow.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In a device for inducing lethargic relaxation or sleep in a subjectwherein electrical impulses are generated by electrical means andapplied to the subjects cerebrum by electrodes attached in near contactwith the subjects eyelids and mastoid processes, the improvement in saidelectrical means, comprising means for generating voltages which, in apredetermined period of time, said predetermined period of time being inthe range of 0.3 to 0.7 millisecond, increase substantiallyinstantaneously from a reference level to a maximum magnitude, saidmaximum magnitude being in the range of 25 to 100 volts, in a smallportion of said period of time change to a magnitude intermediate themaximum and reference levels, in substantially the remaining portion ofsaid period of time change to a magnitude between said intermediate andrefrence levels and then substantially instantaneously return to saidreference level.

2. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said magnitudeintermediate the maximum and reference levels is substantially 90% themaximum magnitude and wherein said magnitude between said intermediateand reference levels is substantially of said maximum.

3. In a method of inducing lethargic relaxation or sleep in a subjectcomprising the application of electrical impulses to the subjectscerebrum, the improvement comprising, in a predetermined period of time,said predetermined period of time being in the range of 0.3 to 0.7millisecond, applying to said subject an electrical impulse:

increasing said impulse from a reference level to a maximum magnitudesubstantially instantaneously, said maximum magnitude being in the rangeof 25 to 100 volts,

in a portion of time less than half of said period of time change saidimpulse to a magnitude intermediate said reference and maximum levels,

in substantially the remaining portion of said period of time changesaid impulse to a magnitude between said reference and intermediatelevels,

substantially instantaneously return said impulse to said referencelevel,

and then repeat application of such electrical impulses 20 to thesubject. 4. The method defined in claim 3 wherein said change 6 of saidimpulse to an intermediate magnitude is changed to a magnitude ofsubstantially 90% the maximum magnitude and said change of said impulseto a magnitude between said reference and intermediate levels is achange to substantially 85% of said maximum magnitude.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,160,159 12/1964 Hoody et a1128l.03 3,219,028 11/1965 Giordano l28-1.03

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,177,325 12/1958 France.

OTHER REFERENCES Buchsbaum: Electronic Anesthesia; Electronics World,September 1963, pp. 2729.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

S. BRODER, Examiner.

1. IN A DEVICE FOR INDUCING LETHARGIC RELAXATION OR SLEEP IN A SUBJECTWHEREIN ELECTRICAL IMPULSES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTRICAL MEANS ANDAPPLIED TO THE SUBJECT''S CEREBRUM BY ELECTRODES ATTACHED IN NEARCONTACT WITH THE SUBJECT''S EYELIDS AND MASTOID PROCESSES, THEIMPROVEMENT IN SAID ELECTRICAL MEANS, COMPRISING MEANS FOR GENERATINGVOLTAGES WHICH, IN A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME, SAID PREDETERMINEDPERIOD OF TIME BEING IN THE RANGE OF 0.3 TO 0.7 MILLISECOND, INCREASESUBSTANTIALLY INSTANTANEOUSLY FROM A REFERENCE LEVEL TO A MAXIMUMMAGNITUDE, SAID MAXIMUM MAGNITUDE BEING IN THE RANGE OF 25 TO 100 VOLTS,IN A SMALL PORTION OF SAID PERIOD OF TIME CHANGE TO A MAGNITUDEINTERMEDIATE THE MAXIMUM AND REFERENCE LEVELS, IN SUBSTANTIALLY THEREMAINING PORTION OF SAID PERIOD OF TIME CHANGE TO A MAGNITUDE BETWEENSAID INTERMEDIATE AND REFRENCE LEVELS AND THEN SUBSTANTIALLYINSTANTANEOUSLY RETURN TO SAID REFERENCE LEVEL.